TRAVEL DESTINATION - on the map today - BOTSWANA     

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Somewhere between "Land of the Lost" and the Garden of Eden rests a country called Botswana. I wasn't terribly eager to experience safari as I tend to prefer and admire the things made by man rather than by nature. I am not outdoorsy at all, and my idea of footwear doesn't include LL Bean or Timberland. However, opportunity knocked and luckily I answered the door.

After flying in mosquito sized aircraft over verdant landscapes decorated with the shadows of clouds and over rivers speckled with algae, I landed in literally the middle of nowhere. Bumping along in an open 4X4 we rounded a corner and suddenly my eyes filled with tears and my heart swelled - all involuntarily - for this city girl just saw her first giraffe.

The power that wildlife has in the natural environment is very difficult to communicate - but the very heart of my essence responded without thoughts having to be processed via my brain. This was an experience of what the world was like at the beginning - after those all important first 7 days, and I felt honored and privileged to have witnessed it however briefly.  Daily scenes of leopard kill in a tree, vultures dining al fresco, lion cubs nursing and elephants proudly shielding their young never become ordinary.

Upon entering the Camp, the Botswana people greeted us with traditional song and dance and hand clapping, and just their presence made me feel inexplicably happy to be alive. The astonishing birds, the bewildering flowers, the acacia and baobab trees all served to remind me that I was in a place unaffected by time. If you are faint of heart - do not go - but if you are brave, the earth there is patiently waiting and calling for you.  Go.

Namaste - Julie